What is Aqiqah?

Aqiqah, in Islamic terminology, is defined as the animal that is slaughtered on the occasion of child birth.

The performance of Aqiqah is highly encouraged. Aqiqah is one of the valued and much loved practices preformed by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) which holds many benefits. It is to be performed by the parents or the guardians of the child.

When Should Aqiqah be Performed?

The best time to perform Aqiqah is on the seventh day after the birth of the baby.

For the child there should be aqiqah, on behalf of the child make sacrifice and remove the hair. (Hadith)

What is the Purpose of Aqiqah?

There are many benefits in the performance of Aqiqah. Allah the almighty has bestowed us with this blessing in the form of the newborn child therefore by performing Aqiqah we are being thankful to Allah (the almighty) and seeking protection from him. Child is protected from all evil, danger and ill fortune.

Types of animals to be slaughtered

The following is a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) where he advised goat/sheep.

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said: Two sheeps which resemble each other are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl. (Sunan Abu Dawood Book 15, No. 2830)

The Aqiqah Pack

The Qurbani Foundation’s Aqiqah Pack encompasses all these aspects and includes:

  • The sacrifice of one or two Aqiqah animals (depending on sex “boy or a girl”) distributed to the poor and needy, including orphans and the elderly.
  • The value equal to the weight in silver of your child’s hair distributed to the needy as sadaqah.*
  • Aqiqah performed within 24 hours.

* $15.50 is given in sadaqah. At the market price of silver this easily covers the required value.

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